Walking for Mesothelioma Awareness: Join iWalk4Meso

Cara Tompot

5 months ago

Each year, an estimated 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly, asbestos-related cancer. It has long been considered incurable, but thanks to amazing mesothelioma researchers and specialists around the world, a cure may finally be closer.

This year, numerous medical advancements have changed the face of mesothelioma treatment. Survivors are living longer than ever before. New therapies available are greatly improving patient quality of life and extending survival time. This is all because of the many mesothelioma researchers who have dedicated their lives and careers to this entirely preventable cancer.

Now, people and organizations are coming together to give back to mesothelioma research.

As a rare disease, mesothelioma is extremely underfunded. Without these funds, researchers and specialists are unable to run clinical trials and studies that could further our understanding of this debilitating cancer and ultimately lead to cure.

That’s why Weitz & Luxenberg — a leading mesothelioma and asbestos law firm — began iWalk4Meso, a virtual race leading up to Mesothelioma Awareness Day.

According to the event website, the goal is to “raise awareness and money for research so that we can stop this horrible disease from killing our loved ones. People usually get mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos…Anyone who has hobbies where they are exposed to asbestos, can get it. Maybe you know an uncle or grandfather, a cousin, even your own father or a brother who had mesothelioma.”

Making a Difference One Step at a Time

This marks the second year of the digital initiative allowing people from around the world to make a difference in the lives of mesothelioma survivors. It doesn’t matter where you are. It doesn’t matter what you do. To participate in iWalk4Meso, you only have to do just that: Walk.

Participants are asked to walk or run any distance they want, snap a photo holding the iWalk4Meso sign and share it on Facebook. For every post on that page, Weitz & Luxenberg will donate up to $25,000 for mesothelioma research.

All of us at The Mesothelioma Center are walking as much as possible leading up to September 26. Then, on Mesothelioma Awareness Day, we plan to come together and walk in honor and memory of the many people affected by mesothelioma.

In addition, we donated $1,000.00 to Massachusetts General Hospital, the recipient of all funds raised throughout iWalk4Meso. We hope this donation can bring us closer to a cure for this rare cancer.

iWalk4Meso is a virtual race aiming to fight for a world without mesothelioma. If we all come together, we can end mesothelioma.

If walking is not your thing or if you’re looking for another way to give back on this important day, people are welcome to donate directly to the highly acclaimed hospital on their fundraising site.

Why Support Massachusetts General Hospital

All of the funds generated by Weitz & Luxenberg’s iWalk4Meso campaign will go directly to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Researchers at its Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center are studying new ways to utilize immunotherapy to treat cancer — a new treatment mode that has shown promise for mesothelioma patients.

“The money we raise through iWalk4Meso will help accelerate this research. Hopefully, prolonging the lives of mesothelioma victims and enhancing the quality of their remaining years,” the website says.

Ready, Set, Step

There’s still time for everyone to get involved in this important initiative. We urge you to join us on Tuesday, September 26 — Mesothelioma Awareness Day — to walk for the many people affected by this cancer.

We ask you to walk for the people we love: Our moms and dads, aunts and uncles, husbands and wives, grandparents, children and grandchildren. We will be walking for them — and for you.